Variable ratio valve



March 4, 1958 A. 1 sx-:LJos 2,825,361

VARIABLE RATIO VALVE Filed Jan. 2o, 1955 2 sheets-sheet '1 INVENTOR.

Arthur l.. .9e/jos,

s n ,y a w m Ziggy A TTORNEY.

March 4, 1958 A. L. sELJos 2,825,361

VARIABLE RATIO VALVE Filed Jan. 2o, 1955 2 sheets-sweetl 2 INVENTOR. Arf/uf L, sel/'asl VARIABLE RATE() VALVE ArthurLrSeljos, Houston, y'l`ex.,f.assignor, by-mesne asisignments, to V`Essx:s.Research and EngineeringCompanL lllizabeth, N. .3., a.-.corporation of :L Delaware Application January. 20, 1955,S e,risll.l`lo. 482,953

6 Claims. (Cl: IS7-6.20)

Vf lfhe ,present invention is directed ,to a Vvariable ratio valve. AMore particularly,,theinventiou is directed to a valvegforsupplying iluid pressure. In its more specic aspects, the invention is directed to Ia control mechanism .frsupplyins Huid pressure.

v 'lfhe presentinvention may bebriefly described as-a variableratio valve vadapted for use` in pneumatic systems andthe like. The invention ycomprisesa valve housing which is provided with a supply port, va`delivery port, anexhaust port, vand a pilot pressure port. Arranged in the housing between the supply port and the delivery port isa regulating valve means for'regulatiug passage of iluid underY pressure from the supply port` to the delivery port. 'Ivfhehousing `has first and ,second spaced apart flat diaphragms arranged in the-housingV between the delivery port vand Athe pilot pressure port. b A piston member is arrangedfbetween the diaphragms and bears frictionally against the face of the iirst diaphragm and against the Vface ofthe second diaphragm. and variesthe ratio vof the effeetive Aworking areas of the diaphragmswhen the diaphragms Imove from a'rst toa .second'positiom The diaphragms are operatively connected tothe regulating valve ,meanssuch that pressure exertedagainst thel diaphragms -movesA the diaphragms from va iirst to a second position and operates the valve means to regulate Athe iluid pressure.

The present invention will be further illustrated by reference to the drawing in which:

4lig. VlV is a sectional view of the device of the Vpresent invention; land Figs. 2 and r3 are fragmentary views of -a portion ,of the device shown in Fig. l.

ln` the drawing, numeral .11 designates'a valvehousing in 4which is arranged a regulating valve rneaiisgenerallyV indicated by the numeral 12 and a rst diaphragm 13 and a second diaphragm 14 spaced apart from 4the rst diaphragm. The'valve housing l11 is provided with a fluid `(2 26 which exhausts throughlateral passagewaysZ'Linto thespace .28 betweenthe diaphragms 13 and. 14 andto .,theatmosphere by exhaust port 18.

The .upper end of the piston arm 25 4hasa recess, space 29 which withpassageway 26 deiines a seating surface 30. The valve member 12 is comprised of spaced apart spherical valve vmembers 31 and '32 interconnected Vby longitudinally extending member33. The valve 12 .has a seating` member 34provided with a seating surface 35 on which the spherical member 31 seats.

TheV spherical member 31 yis normally biased into seating vengagement with the-seat-35 byavspring member, such as a helical coil spring` 36, arranged inrecess 37. A helical coil spring 38 in the recess 29 bears -againstthe seating member 34 andservesto. urge the valve member 12 away from the piston arm 25. Sealing members, such as O-rings. 39 and 40, provide a seal to isolate the ports 41 of the valve 12 which communicate vthe port 15 with the passageway 42 through which the interconnecting member 33 protrudes and with the lateral passageways 43.

Therpiston arm-25 and the valve member 12 are arrangedin an annular valve housing 44 to which is connected by means of threaded screws 45 a valve plate 46 in which is arranged a valve positioning shaft 47 having ahandle or Wheel 4S.

It is to be noted .th-ata space 49'communicates the passageway 43 with the delivery port 16. Also it is -to be noted that the annular member 44 is uidly sealed against, leakage by a sealing means such as an O-ring 51.

The valve housing 11 may suitably be constructed in several parts for ease of access thereto and, for example, may have a bottom plate or closure member 52 in which the pilot pressure port A17 is arranged and may be constructed with a center'plate 53 in which the exhaust port 18 is arranged.V The upper part of the housing 11 may suitably bea bonnet 54 which is attached to the center plate 53 by threaded screws 55, the closure member 52 being connected to the plate 53 by threaded screws 56. Center plate 53 is provided with upper and lower oppositely directedinclined inner surfaces 53' and 53" respectively. Bonnet'54 and closure member 52 are also prosfnpivly 'prt 15, a ,delivery port 16, Va pilot pressure port 1 7 @and an exhaust port 18. The delivery port 15 has a conduit 19 lthreadably connected to an annular member 4 4fbyvmating threads 20.

Arranged between the diaphragms 1 3 vand 14 .is ampisembern21 which has fan upper surface 22 bearing n the underfaceof the diaphragm 13 rand is proid d with Yan outwardly inclined surface .portion 22' bearsagaiust the 'underface of the diaphragm 13 in the upper 0I maximum areargsitions of diaphragm 13. Piston member 2 1alsorhas a lower ,surfaceil which bears against the upperface of the diaphragm 14 and Ais umriss@ with an inwardly inclined Surface portion 23' Wbll baars against the upper .Surface Q f the diaphragm 14V lthe lov/r er positions of diaphragm 1.14. ncied :fo il@ PSfQn 2.1 Vby threaded serews ,24 is e121. H erin 2.5- The ,threaded screws 24, Aser-vs: tocan. ntii? iphrasm .1,3 .and the piston. 2, 1 to the piston ,2.5 ,Tlspsfon .afm as ,and the ,piston member .2.1 are arenas@ with e lvnsitudinally extending .passageway vided with inner oppositely directed inclined surfaces 54 and 52 respectively. These inclined surfaces co-act with the diaphragms to increase or decrease the effective areas of diaphragms 13 and 14 upon movement of piston member 21.

The operation of the present invention is as follows:

In vthe illustration as shown in Fig. l, the diaphragm 13 kis in its kuppermost position and also is in its maximum effective area position. The diaphragm 14 is in its uppermost Yposition and is also in its minimum effective area position. For example, if a pilot pressure of pounds is exerted on diaphragm 14, a pressure of 40 pounds on diaphragm 13 would counteract it or hold the diaphragms in their present position. If the diaphragms were moved downwardly by means of threaded rod 47 the elective area of diaphragm 13 would gradually decrease and Vthe elective area of diaphragm 14 would gradually increase. VAs the two diaphragms approach their mid position, that is between their uppermost and lou/ermost positions, the eiiective areas of each would be more or less equalized. lf the diaphragms were extended to their lowermost position, the eiiective areas of the two would be reversed.

. Figs. 2 and v3 are 'fragmentary views of the diaphragm 13, villustrating the change in the elective area as the diaphragm is moved froml its upper position (Fig. v2) tol-its lower position (Fig. 3).

.',lhusthe supply iluid introduced through conduit 19 to the port 15 passes into passageway 42 through ports 41 with the seatingmember 31 being ott the seat 35. The

, 'then created. e K t t Y t Under these conditions, kthe pressur'erin portjl would be exhausted through passageway 26 and lateral passageway 27 Vinto spacerl and to the atmosphere through port 13, the seating member 3i seating on the'seat A35 while the 'seat 3) would have moved away from the t member 32l by virtue of the downward movement of the Y t piston L21 andthe piston arm 25. t

port, a Vdelivery port, vand ing valve means arranged in said housing between said Y,

supply `port and said delivery porty for regulating passageY Y, t

Yof uid undergpressureV from said supply port lto said tu delivery port, first and second spaced apart opposing dlaphragms arranged in said valve housingV intermediatesaid delivery port and said pilot pressurefp'ort, said housing i havingoppositely directed inclined inner surfacesjthereb y providing aV varying ratio for the effective working areas of Vsaid diaphragrns, aV piston lmember ,arranged between saidrdiaphragms and bearing Yagainst the under- Y Vfacetoi? the rst 'diaphragmrtand against the upper face The unit may beset, by virtue of the positioningrshaft Y Y 47, to provide any ratio as desired.

It will beseen from the foregoing description taken withthe drawing in opposing diaphragms are arranged'in a device in which the eective area of the diam- Y eters Achangeas the diaphragms stroke to provideva variable ratio. v Y

The device of the present invention is useful in pneu- Y rnatic Vcontrols on braking systems suchtas Aon Vheavy busses and aircraft.'V Also it isi important in well drillingopera-V tions and the like. Y Y

VV'I he nature Vand objects of the present inventionhavingbeen'completelyY describedV and illustrated, what` I wish toj'claimtas'new Vand useful and to secureV by Letters PatentV is: Y' Y f Y Y t i if A variablerratio'fvalve'adapted for use in pneumatic systems which comprises., a valve housing having a supply ftportja delivery port, anda pilot pressure port,vregulat Y ing valve means arranged in said housing betweenV said supply port and said delivery port for regulating passage t YVorffluid under pressure from saidV supplvport `toV said fdelivery port, first and second'V spaced apart'opposing diaf phragrns arranged'in said valve housing intermediate said j delivery port and said pilot pressure port, said'housing having oppositely directed inclined inner surfaces thereby VY providing a varying ratio forv the edectiv'e working areas e of said diaphragrns, a piston memberarranged between saidadiaphragms andrbearing against a face Vof the irst diaphragm and against a face'of the second diaphragm,

said diaphragms being operatively connected to said regulating valve` means, pressure exerted against the dia-V phra'g'ms` through the pilot pressure port moving said diaphragit s' thereby operating Ysaid regulating valve means Vto regulate the iluid pressure from said supply port to said of the secondtdiaphragmpand a piston arm operatively connected to said piston member and Vto said regulating valve means, pressure exerted Vagainst therdiaphragxnsV Ythrough the pilot pressure port'moving Ysaid diaphragms;

thereby operating said regulating valve means to regulate the uid pressure from Ysaid vsupply portto `s aidgdeli'very port, and adjusting means associated .with saidr Piston,Y

member adapted to vary the,eifectiyerworkingareas of it said'diaphragms. Y n Y i H 4. A'variable ratio valve Vadaptedtfor'u'se in pneumatic systems whichY comprises, a `valve housinghaviliga supply n port, a delivery port, and a pilot pressureport, regulating t valve means arrangedfin'saidhousingbetween said supplyY port ands-aid deliveryport forregulating passagefoffuid under pressurerfromsaidsupplyport to'said delivery port, Y first and second spacedV apart'gopposing Ydiaphragmsa'rf ranged in lsaid valve housingintermediate said'deliveryV port and said pilot pressure por't,jsaid housing havingrfop!VV f positely Vdirected inclined inner surfacesV therebyV providing' a varyingQratio'for theV elfective working areas. of'V said V'diaphraginsya piston membertarranged between said'diaphragms having an upwardly facing inclined surface Ybe'a'r-V t a pilot pressure portfretgulat-Y e YV Y ing againstthe underV yface ofthe r'st diaphragm and'havting a downwmdly facing inclined surfacrebearin'g againstV -theupper-face'of the second diaphragm, saidV diaphragm being operatively connected tosaid regulating valvemeans, pressure exerted against the diaphragms through the pilot pressure port movingsaidfdiaphragm's thereby operatingV said regulating'valve means to regulate vthe uid pressure from said supply port tosaid deliveryrport. Q

' 5,. A variableratio, valve adapted for use'in pneumatic systems which comprises, a valve housing havingfatsupply* Y port, a delivery port, and arpilot pressure port, regulating E t valve'means arranged in said housing'rbetweentsaid supply `delivery port, and adjusting means associated with said t piston member adapted to vary the effective working areas Y ofsaid diaphragme. Y t Y t s t Y' LA variable ratio valve adapted'for use in pneumatic Vpiy port, a delivery port, and a pilot pressure port, regu- .sappig port and said delivery port for regulatingrpassage of undertpressure from saidisupply port to said` deliverv Yort, Vfirst and second s aced a art o osin-7 diai Y e j pl'tragms-arranged in said valve housing intermediate said A delivery portanti said pilot pressureV port, said housingV having oppositely directed inclined inner surfaces thereby Yproviding'a varying ratio for the; effective working areas or' said diaphragnis, a piston memberV arranged-,between Y saidY diapntamsV andV bearing against the under4 face of the Virst v3. A variable ratio 'valve adaptedfor use injpneuriatic systems vvhichcompr'ises, a valve housing having'ra supply systems'which comprises, a valve housing having a sup-V .55

Vlating valve means arranged in saidhousing betwe'ensaid v diaphragm and againsttthe upper face of the sec-V Vond diaphragm, said diaphragms being operatively coni Y nected to said regulating valve means, pressuretexerted V'against"the diaphragms Ythrough the pilot pressure port moving sadtdiaphragms thereby operating said regfulat-V Y ing saidreguating'valve meansto regtilate the fluid pres-A1 Y sure freni/saidsupply portV to said'delivery port.

f tively,`,on1iirst;and second seating r nnunbersrarranged'iniV 'salidf housing between 'said supply port and fsaid `delivery Y port` fori regulating passage "of uird Yunder pressui'e.fromi; i Y, YsaidY supplyrport tovsaid delivery port; first-and second 'Y port and'said delivery port for regulating passage oftluid t under pressure from Ysaid supply'gportftogsaid delivery port, first and secondspaced apart opposing diaphragms arranged'insaid valve housing/intermediate said delivery portV and said pilot pressure port; said Yhousing having'opV 4positel'yidirected inclined inner surfaces thereby providing Y* a varying Yr'atioffor the effective working areasV of said Y diaphiagms, Y*a pistonA member arranged VV'b'etweenfsid diaphragms having Aan Yupwardly Yfacing, inclinedsurface Y f bearing against Ythe under face of "th'efrst diaphragm'and having Vadownwardly facing Yinclined `surface' Vbearing against the upper kface lo f the second diaphragm, and Ya Y piston arm operatively connected lto .said piston member andtosaid regulating valve means, Vfluid pressure exerted against the'lsecornd vdiaphragm through the Ypilot Ypressure 'i port movingsaidjdiaphragms thereby and. operatingstiidYV regulatingevalve meanstorregulate thefludpressrefrom 5 saidsupply port- Yto said deliveryport, and adjusting means associated'with saidY piston member adaptedto'varytlieY t effective working areas of said diaphragms.

6. Y A variable ratioY 'valve' adaptedl for useY Yin systems which comprises; a valvehousinghvingasupply Y sure port, regulating' valvemeans omprisedpfkirst and)y second interconnected spherical members seatinglgrespeaeeeei spaced apart opposing at diaphragms arranged in said valve housing intermediate said delivery port and said pilot pressure port with the first diaphragm being arranged intermediate said delivery port and said exhaust port, said housing having oppositely directed inclined inner surfaces thereby providing a varying ratio for the eiective Working areas of said diaphragms, a piston member arranged between said diaphragms having an upwardly facing inclined surface bearing against the under face of the first diaphragm and having a downwardly facing inclined surface bearing against the upper face of the second diaphragm, and a piston arm operatively connected to said piston member and to said regulating valve means, uid pressure exerted against the second diaphragm through the pilot pressure port moving said diaphragms thereby operating said regulating valve means to regulate the uid pressure from said supply port to said delivery port, said piston arm and said piston being provided with a passageway communicating the space between said diaphragms with said valve, said second seating member opening and closing said second passageway and said rst seating member regulating passage of fluid from the supply port to the delivery port.

Aieck Nov. 19, 1946 Seljos Nov. 17, 1953 

